Many, many people tend to toss around the words “iconic” and “legendary” like confetti when describing songwriters. But what else do you call someone whose resume includes Kenny Rogers’ multi-platinum opus “The Gambler”, Randy Travis’ heartfelt balls “Forever and Ever, Amen”; and the tender “When You Say Nothing at All”, made successful by both Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss? Well, turns out you call him Don Schlitz — born in Durham, North Carolina, on this day (August 29) in 1952.
Indeed, Rogers put it best when he said, ““Don doesn’t just write songs. He writes careers.” With 50 top 10 country hits and 24 number one songs to his name, Schlitz won three CMA Song of the Year awards, two Academy of Country Music Song of the Year prizes, two Grammy Awards, and four consecutive ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year trophies from 1988 to 1991.
On April 16, 2026, Donald Schlitz died at a Nashville hospital following a sudden illness. Today, we’re honoring him on what would have been his 74th birthday.
Who Was Don Schlitz?
Donald Alan Schlitz Jr. was one of three children born to Betty Lou, a histopathologist at Duke University Medical Center; and Don Schlitz Sr., a captain with the Durham Police Department…